The Mackenzie Room

Filled With Neglect…Strait Chillin…The Root of all Evil. The puzzling menu items scrawled on the oversized chalkboard at The Mackenzie Room are a lot less straightforward than your typical bill of fare, and that’s all part of the fun. “Leaving the names a little a bit vague keeps the mystique until the dish arrives,” explains chef Sean Reeve. “What you read isn’t necessarily what you’re going to get.”

Pushing the envelope comes naturally to the talented chef, who takes a thoughtful approach to his roster of seasonal West Coast cuisine. “There are always two things I try and do with my cooking,” he explains. “I want to invoke a memory using flavours that take you back to a certain time in your life. Alternatively, I try to create a dish that makes you think – something that throws you for a loop and is a little bit exciting.”

It’s this unique experiential nature that sets The Mackenzie Room apart from many of the old standbys on the Vancouver dining scene. From its edgy locale on the Downtown Eastside to the enigmatic dishes and boozy punchbowl cocktails, the cozy dining room offers the perfect blend of surprise and familiarity.